Graham

I'm pretty sure the 1/60 upgrade sets are dead. Graham

I guess which music someone likes the most, maybe to some extent influenced by what they were exposed to first. For myself, I saw SDF Macross and DYRL years before I was exposed to any Robotech. I gotta say I love the Macross BGM and Mari Iijima's songs and I own a pretty extensive collection of Macross CDs, which I listen to frequently. On the other hand, I have never liked or been able to get into the Robotech BGM and Reba West's songs and I do not own a single Robotech CD and have no intention of ever buying one. I just feel the music in Robotech does not match the story, mood or animation at all. Graham

Only two more days to go (its already October 21st here in HK & Japan). Probably won't be picking up my game until Friday though Graham

Oh, and just like to add, the only reason I'm keeping any 1/55 toys is that when and if I have a kid, they will be used for 'baby's first Valks' Seriously, if I have a kid, and they show an interest in Macross, I'll give em the 1/55s to play with when they are maybe 4 years old. Graham

Recently sold most of my old Chunky Monkeys on ebay, so only have the following left. Takatoku 1/55 = 1pc. (VF-1A CF & 1 set of GBP-1S armor). Bandai 1/55 = 1pc. (VF-1S Strike). Joons = 1pc. (VF-1J Hikaru) Bandai Reissues = 7pcs. (1 of each type). Total = 10pcs. Graham

The FIX Zakus are old news. They have been shown in the Japanese hobby mags for the last three months or so. I'm also hoping for more Sentinal FIX, hopefully a Xeku-Eins. Graham

From reading some of the above posts, I get the impression that it is legal for kids to accompany their parents to watch 'R' rated films in the US. Is this correct? Also, I'm not familiar with the US movie ratings system. Is 'R' the highest rating? Here in HK, we have a different ratings system. Kill Bill is classed as a 'Category III' film which basically means no one under 18 is allowed in to see it and the cinema staff will check the I.D. at the entrance of anybody who looks under 18 and refuse them entry. I'm certainly not squemish and the blood and violence in Kill Bill didn't bother me a bit, but it is certainly not a film a young child or perhaps even an impressionable young teen should be allowed to see IMO. Graham

Ouch!!!! Graham

Yup, kits that come with little plastic display boxes, with suction cups. Graham

Yep, the big fight near the end was all in color, no black and white bits at all. Graham

Kill Bill only opened here in HK on October 16th. I went to see it with my wife yesterday (Oct 19th). Gotta say, I loved it. I've always been a fan of gratuitous violence and sword fights, so this movie was perfect for me. The Bride's sword fight against O-Ren-Ishii's gang was far better done than Neo's fight in Reloaded against the multiple Agent Smiths. Definitely gonna buy Kill Bill on DVD when it comes out. Anybody notice the wires holding up the 747, thought that was so funny along with all the passengers having katanas next to their seats. Graham

What I have heard that it is still being pursued, but it currently undergoing a a redesign based on feedback from the license holder. Graham

I think the Yamato Escaflowne, is heavily based on the SHE version, but with some difference of course, like the addition of ratcheted joints. And before some of you start screaming about Yamato ripping off SHEs design, this is not correct as Yamato has licensed the design from SHE and employes them as technical consultants. Graham

Yeah, usually the 1/60 and 1/72 boxes come sealed with tape. The 1/72 Macross Plus toys usually have one peice of tape on each end. For the 1/60 VF-1 series, I've seen boxes from the factory sealed with both 1 and 2 peices of tape at each end. I guess it depends who is on tape sticking duty on any given day B) Graham

I'll probably be picking mine up from one of the many console game shops in the Golden Arcade in Sham Shui Po district. They usually get Japanese games on the same day as they are released in Japan. Actually, my wife is going to be buying mine for my birthday present. Can't believe I'm going to be 34.....arghhhhh!!!!!!! Feel old Graham

IIRC, my 7 sets of FAST packs purchased from Kanto Hobby (HK) were not sealed with tape. The same goes for my 2 Low Vis purchased from Animate (HK). I can't remember if the other 1/48 toys were tape sealed or not. Graham

I got to handle a painted test shot last week for about half an hour. The paint application on the toy is very nice. From what I recall, a lot of the lower leg is die-cast, most other parts are ABS. The toy is insanely complicated with more joints, hinges etc than a dozen VF-1 toys added together However, despite the complexity, it did appear quite sturdy. Without access to the instruction manual, which I think is not ready yet, I gave up trying to transform the toy. Graham

Err...not familiar with Freehand. is it something I can view using Photo Deluxe? Graham

Nice, designs. I think for the front I prefer the black polo w/UN Spacy emblem (top row, middle pic). For the back, probably the design in the middle of the bottom row. Although I think the orther back designs with the extra stripes look better, they might increase the cost a bit. Toonz, I'm gonna need the artwork really big and clear for my friend with the garment factory to see so he can give me a quote. Graham

Specs for the VF-0's micro-missles indicate that they are heat seeking (IR), so presumably the VF-1's micro-missile are heat seeking as well. Graham Depends on the missile..... and source qouted ^^;; Oh yeah, speaking of the VF-Zero's micro missiles - - here's a small tidbit. I drew this side view schematic of the GH-30B. (Scroll down) Note that the entry isn't done yet. http://nanashi.macrossmecha.info/resrc/cat...siles/gh30.html Interesting. They seem comparitively long compared to most other micro- missiles. The use of fins on micro-missiles is a first as well. It would be interesting to know the length and diameter of the missiles, but I doubt Kawamori will ever provide that information. Graham

I love both series, but as I've admitted many times before, of the two I do prefer Macross 7. Graham

IIRC, on the Hasegawa battroid kits only the chest strip is colored, the rest of the battroid is plain white, so a lot of painting is involved to look good. Not sure about the Super & Strike if the FPs are colored or not. About the only precolored Macross kits which look fairly good with little or no painting are the 1/100 VF-19 Fire Valk & VF-19S Valks. Graham

Specs for the VF-0's micro-missles indicate that they are heat seeking (IR), so presumably the VF-1's micro-missile are heat seeking as well. Graham

I would think that in fighter mode, rear-hemisphere defence would be the primary purpose of the arm missiles. However, if the VF-1 mounts UMM-7 micro missile pods as well, it also has the capability of backwards firing as the rear-most 5 micro-missile in each UMM-7 pod also face backwards. Graham Something else that Hasegawa screwed up on.... So did Yamato on the 1/60, but at least they got it right on the 1/48 Graham

I would think that in fighter mode, rear-hemisphere defence would be the primary purpose of the arm missiles. However, if the VF-1 mounts UMM-7 micro missile pods as well, it also has the capability of backwards firing as the rear-most 5 micro-missile in each UMM-7 pod also face backwards. Graham